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FAQ

Have Questions? 

We have answers! If you still need help, call the main office (267-331-8002) or use our contact form.

Frequently Asked Questions

HPCA is committed to providing our students with a spiritual foundation, an excellent education, and dedicated teachers and staff.  We offer weekly chapel, where students experience worship and hear messages related to our monthly memory verses.  Every grade has a formal Bible class, as well as Biblical integration into each subject.  Students are provided opportunities for service throughout the year.  

Our graduates have gone to various high schools and have excelled all across the city.  We have alumni in many different universities.  

Parents and students love it at HPCA!  Here are some direct quotes from a recent parent survey:

“I love the way parents and children are welcomed with such enthusiasm and love. I worked in another school system and was able to see firsthand how the lack of a Christian environment affected the children in every aspect.”

“I love how it feels like one big family! I am continuing to choose HPCA because I love the culture and how happy my daughter gets when she walks through the school door!”

“My child was having issues academically. I emailed and in five minutes was contacted. My child was not put on a back burner but on a priority list.”

“Last year, I had to put my son into another school. It was unsafe, unorganized, and unfriendly. My child’s work and behavior began to reflect that. In February, my first priority was running to HPCA and re-enrolling my son. I plan to do so until he graduates.”

“The love that is shown to our students is like none I have ever seen.”

HPCA hopes that all students RISE:
 

R - Respond to the Gospel.  We want students to receive the good news of Jesus and interact with it.

I - Ignite your community for change.  Everyone has been created by God, who has a plan for all.  We want students to know that, because of God in them, they can have a big impact on their communities. 

S - Serve God and others.  We want our students to be humble and to find joy in service.

E - Excel in academics and life.  Through hard work, all students can grow and succeed.

Yes!  HPCA is accredited through Middle States Commission on Elementary Education.  We believe that it is important to hold our program to a high standard and consistently seek to evaluate our methods and improve what we offer to ensure the highest quality for our students.

 

Hunting Park Christian Academy is non-demoninational.  HPCA does reside in the same building as Spirit and Truth Fellowship, which is a member of the Christian Reformed Church. You may find more information about what we believe in our Statement of Faith.  Our student body is made up of students from many different backgrounds, denominations, and beliefs.

You do not need to be a Christian to attend HPCA.  All students will receive Biblical instruction, take part in classroom devotions, participate in weekly chapel, and hear the Gospel of Christ.

Our pre-kindergarten and middle school classes (6th - 8th) have a maximum of 20 students.  Kindergarten through 5th-grade classes have a maximum of 22 students.

HPCA utilizes Foundations and Frameworks as our reading program and Responsive Classroom as our social curriculum.  More information about these programs can be found here.

HPCA also utilizes the following for each subject:

Bible - ACSI and CSI

English - Houghton Mifflin

Math - Houghton Mifflin, Harcourt, and Holt McDougal

Phonics - Fundations

Science - BJU Press and McDougal Littell

Spelling - ACSI

Social Studies - Houghton Mifflin

Since 2008, we have used the NWEA MAP test, a computerized test which is given in the fall, winter, and spring, so we are able to track growth along with proficiency.  The MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) test measures what students know and informs teachers of what they're ready to learn next.  Teachers are given instant results so they are able to adapt their lessons to fit students' needs.  MAP dynamically adjusts to each student's performance, and creates a personalized assessment experience that accurately measures performance - whether a student performs on, above, or below grade level.  This test is currently given to our 1st- through 8th-grade students.

6th- and 7th-grade students also take the PSSA, which is required at various high schools.

Learn It Academic Services is our provider of many support services.  

A reading specialist is available during the week (during the school day) to help eligible students needing reading assistance.  We also offer after-school reading and math tutoring for eligible students.  

Psychological consultations, evaluations, interventions, and recommendations are provided by an on-site psychologist.  Speech, language services, and occupational therapy are also available to eligible students.

Counseling services are provided by Learn It.  HPCA provides Christian counseling and guidance through our chaplain, who is here five days a week.

The School District of Philadelphia provides a school nurse each week to perform various screenings, including vision and hearing.

5th- through 8th-grade students have the opportunity to participate in indoor soccer (fall) and basketball (spring).  HPCA competes in the PACSAC league against other Christian schools.  

HPCA offers many special programs and events.  To highlight a few:

Christmas and Easter Programs:  Students perform plays, songs, and dances to convey the meaning of Christmas and Easter to their family and friends.
 
Career Day: Christian presenters share their careers with our middle-school students.  It's a wonderful opportunity to hear about unique careers, how to honor God in your career, and the educational steps needed for various jobs.
 
Theme Fridays: In May, we have a wild and fun theme days, with different themes every Friday.  Students get to dress crazy and do fun activities. 
 

HPCA offers a 5-week, free reading and math program to eligible students to help prepare them for the next school year.  

HPCA does not offer bus service.  However, students who live 1.5 miles or more from the school, and who are residents of Philadelphia, may qualify for a free SEPTA transpass, which can be used between 5:30 am and 7:00 pm.  Please contact the main office for more details.

Breakfast and lunch are offered free of charge to all students.  The meals are provided through the Nutritional Development Services of the Archiocese of Philadelphia (NDS).  

School Breakfast provides a student with ¼ of their daily calories and key growth nutrients. A typical breakfast consists of a whole grain entrée such as an apple-cinnamon muffin, mini maple pancakes, or an egg & cheese bagel, a half-pint of low-fat or fat-free milk, and two servings of fruit, such as fresh fruit, applesauce, raisins, or 100% fruit juice.  

The School Lunch provides a student with 1/3 of their daily requirement for calories and key growth nutrients. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of whole grains, fresh fruit, and vegetabled served. NDS uses the “Reach for the Stars” theme to encourage students to select and eat their daily servings of fresh fruit and vegetables. 

Current menus and lunch times can be found here.

Generally, HPCA follows the same decision as the Philadelphia School District, although we will occassionally make a different decision if we feel that the forecast or current weather creates a dangerous situation for our students and families.  Our school closing number is 128 and can be found by listening to KYW 1060 or checking here.